Light reflective value (or LRV) in simplest terms is a percentage of light that is reflected by any given paint color.
You can actually predict how light or how dark the shade will be by using the LRV, which is generally measured on a scale of zero to 100 percent. 0% is at one end which is black and it reflects no light; 100% is white and reflects all light.
In general, the lower the LRV value, the darker you can expect the color to be, and vice versa.
Why is the LRV Important?
The light’s reflective value can seriously affect the mood and ambiance of your space, depending on how much artificial and natural light is in the room. And hence, paying attention to the LRV can be the difference between your room looking cramped and small or comfortable and spacious.
When choosing the colors for your home, knowing the light reflective value of a color is essential for two main reasons:
1- Picking the right color can help you save a lot of money in the future. It also helps homeowners, businesses, and schools make more energy-efficient choices.
For example, a color with a higher light reflective value won’t require as much lighting or air conditioning as a shade that soaks up more light and warms up quickly.
2- It allows you to coordinate the interior room colors better when designing various rooms or even just a single room.
Usually, you can locate the light reflective value on the back of paint color samples. For example, when opting for Sherwin Williams paint samples, you will usually find their light reflective value on the back of sample paint chips.
This information is also available online on the official site of the specific paint brand you want to choose. Be sure you seek it out before deciding on your new paint color.
Light Reflectance Value Chart
Below is a quick overview of the reflective ratings and what they represent to give you a better idea:
| Reflective Value | Paint Color |
|---|---|
| 0-5 | Very Dark |
| 5-15 | Dark |
| 15-25 | Medium Dark |
| 25-50 | Medium |
| 50-60 | Medium Light |
| 60-75 | Light |
| 75-80 | Off-Whites |
| 80+ | Whites |
LRV Values – How Does it Affect Areas?
The LRV value will affect different areas in the room in different ways. The south-facing room, for example, will need a different LRV value than the west-facing room.
It has been seen that an LRV of 60 to 65 is a magical number that’s a perfect option for west-facing rooms. These are usually warm colors that won’t be overly yellow or gold in the rooms and will gleam beautifully.
For south-facing small-sized rooms, you can consider soothing paint colors in a range of LRV 70 to 75. These crisp and bright colors will calm down inside with the incoming heat during the day and make your space appear larger at night.
The LRV value will also affect how the shade will look and feel at different times of the day. Lighter colors with a high LRV, for example, will look different in the morning than in the afternoon. This is because the light in your area will reflect off the paint differently at different times of the day.
The LRV value is also affected by the type of paint finish. Flat paint, for example, will have a lower LRV than glossy paint – that’s simply because the light will reflect off the color differently depending on the finish.
Furthermore, you should keep the following information in mind when determining which light reflective value you want and for which areas of your space:
- Light paint colors in a room with plenty of illumination make it look lighter since more light is reflected.
- Dark paint colors in a darker room without lighting will look even darker.
- Dark paint colors in a light room with decent lighting will reflect the light and bring out the undertones of the color.
- Light paint colors in a dark room make the space look a bit lighter and brighter.
- Medium-light, light, and light-reflective values above 60 can significantly affect any incoming light.
Overall, it is recommended that you choose a neutral color if you have a room that is poorly lit or only has a slight bit of lighting; you don’t want it to look too dark, but you also don’t like natural lighting causing an artificial glare.
The bottom line
Knowing about the LRV values and what it is, helps you choose the right paint colors you want in your home. It surely affects how the shade looks in different areas of the room and at different times of the day.
When choosing a paint color for your home, be sure to check the LRV value, as most of the brands have this information readily available. Some of them also have a light reflectance value calculator that can help you in evaluating the colors and finishes that are most desirable.
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Jack Luis is a semi-retired painter who loved painting his clients’ ideas on their walls.
He had worked as a painter for over a decade serving customers in areas such as Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Beaufort, and Georgetown, SC (South Carolina). Today in his free time, he likes to read and write about the newer techniques implemented in his profession. You may read more about him here or get in touch with him here.